June 2016 NPD: top 10 best-selling games in the U.S.
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Wii U | 5 Comments
NPD Group has released a listing of the top ten best-selling games in the U.S. for the month of June 2016. The results can be found below.
1. Overwatch
2. Grand Theft Auto V
3. Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens
4. Doom 2016*
5. Mirror’s Edge: Catalyst
6. Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End*
7. NBA 2K16
8. Call of Duty: Black Ops III
9. Destiny: The Taken King
10. Minecraft*
Note: for the first time, NPD is starting to include digital sales in its reports. Games marked with the asterisk do not include digital sales. Also keep in mind that NPD’s format has changed – this is a revenue ranking rather than unit rankings.
Screenwriter Max Landis gave a Pokemon movie pitch last year, drew “huge Netflix offer”
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 3 Comments
We learned yesterday that Legendary Entertainment has obtained the rights to the Pokemon films, and will begin by producing a live-action Detective Pikachu film. Based on a new interview with screenwriter Max Landis, it sounds like that idea came straight from The Pokemon Company.
Landis, along with producer Roy Lee, pitched his idea for a different Pokemon film around a year ago. It was accepted, shown to studios (and led to a “huge Netflix offer”)… and then The Pokemon Company “pulled back”. Landis told Collider that they only wanted to sell one character, which was Detective Pikachu. He wasn’t interested, and that’s when everything fell apart.
You can hear about Landis’ pitch in the video below.
Nintendo explains why it settled on Metroid Prime: Federation Force’s art style
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News | 30 Comments
A few hours ago, Nintendo shared a new Metroid Prime: Federation Force video. It contained commentary from Kensuke Tanabe, the game’s producer.
Kotaku picked out one excerpt from the interview which is particularly interesting. At one point, Tanabe explained why Federation Force’s art style was chosen.
Tanabe spoke about how Next Level Games wanted “to make a multiplayer gameplay experience great on a handheld system” following Luigi’s Mansion: Dark Moon. Technical hurdles were in the way, however. Another issue was that players would be shooting objects that look tiny on a small handheld screen. That eventually led to the “more rounded art style for the characters”.
Here’s Tanabe’s full explanation:
New Paper Mario: Color Splash footage (title screen, Dark Bloo Inn)
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in Videos, Wii U | 18 Comments
Update: Here’s another video:
GameXplain recently got their hands on a preview build of Paper Mario: Color Splash. Take a look at some footage from their preview session below.
Metroid Prime: Blast Ball released on the 3DS eShop for free
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, News | 10 Comments
Update: It appears that severs for this “special demo” will only be up for a certain period. However, online functions will still be available in the full Metroid Prime: Federation Force game.
Here’s a big surprise. Metroid Prime: Blast Ball is out on the 3DS eShop, and it’s completely free. The last we heard, this was to be a mode included in Federation Force, but it looks like Nintendo had a change of plans!
Blast Ball supports up to six players. Online play, local play, and Download Play are all supported. It’s 1,563 blocks / 195.375MB.
Nintendo Download (7/21/16, North America) – Buddy & Me, Pokemon Ranger, more
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS eShop, News, Wii U eShop | 0 comments
This week’s North American Nintendo Downloads are as follows:
Wii U Download
Buddy & Me: Dream Edition – $4.99
Defend your Crypt – $2.99
Hot Rod Racer – $2.54
Humanitarian Helicopter – $10.00
Wii U Virtual Console
Pokemon Ranger – $9.99
Wii U Demos
Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins + Training Demo – In this demo, enjoy the full animated short movie (Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins), then jump into training to prepare for combat. It’ll take more than luck to master the Arwing jet, the Gyrowing flight drone and the Landmaster tank!
Star Fox Guard – Special Demo – Grippy Toad, the founder of Corneria Precious Metals Ltd., and Slippy Toad of the legendary team Star Fox needs your help protecting their booming business! All you have to do is keep an eye on a dozen video screens as you mow down waves of attacking robots with your turret-mounted cameras!
3DS Download
Defend your Crypt – $2.99
Ninja Smasher! – $3.99
New 3DS Download
Wind-up Knight 2 – $5.00
3DS Themes
The Legend of Dark Witch 2 – Franzer
Animal Crossing: New Leaf – Swimming in the Sea
eShop Sales
Nintendo eShop on Wii U and Nintendo 3DS
– 3D Game Collection (Nintendo 3DS), Island Flight Simulator (Wii U) and more games from Joindots are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on July 28.
– Sonic & All-Stars Racing Transformed (Wii U and Nintendo 3DS), Sonic the Hedgehog: Triple Trouble (Nintendo 3DS) and more games from SEGA are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on July 28.
– Rock ’N Racing Off Road (Wii U) and Soccer Up Online (Nintendo 3DS) from EnjoyUp are on sale until 8:59 a.m. PT on Aug. 18.
– Word Search by POWGI (Wii U and Nintendo 3DS) is 25 percent off (reduced from $7.99 to $5.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on July 28.
3DS
– Classic Games Overload: Card & Puzzle Edition is 50 percent off (reduced from $29.99 to $14.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on Aug. 8.
– Aqua Moto Racing 3D is 50 percent off (reduced from $7.99 to $3.99) until 8:59 a.m. PT on July 28.
Source: Nintendo PR
More: Nintendo Download, top, Virtual Console
Nintendo announces stages for Splatoon’s final Splatfest
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 6 Comments
The very last Splatfest in Splatoon is almost here. With the event just on the horizon, Nintendo has announced which stages will be featured in the different regions. Kelp Dome, Moray Towers and Walleye Warehouse were selected.
Here are the full voting results ranked:
Splatoon’s last Splatfest begins at 2 AM PT / 5 AM ET on Friday.
Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins + Training now available on the North American Wii U eShop
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in News, Wii U | 2 Comments
Last week, Nintendo brought “Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins + Training” to the European Wii U eShop. The download features the recent animated short as well as a demo of Star Fox Zero.
We’re happy to report that Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins + Training is now available on the North American Wii U eShop as well. It’s free, so there’s no harm in nabbing it – unless you’re worried about space. The download takes up 1,677MB.
Here’s an overview of Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins + Training from the Wii U eShop:
“In this demo, enjoy the full Animated Short Movie – Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins, then jump into training to prepare for combat! In this white-knuckle space shooter, it’ll take more than luck to master the Arwing jet, the Gyrowing flight drone, and the Landmaster tank!”
Star Fox Zero: The Battle Begins + Training doesn’t appear to be easily accessible – you’ll need to search for it.
More: demo, PlatinumGames, Star Fox Zero, top
Legendary Pictures wins Pokemon movie rights, “Detective Pikachu” first film
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in General Nintendo, News | 22 Comments
Legendary Pictures has secured the movie rights to Pokemon, according to Hollywood Reporter. Additionally, the first film to be produced will be “Detective Pikachu”.
Specifics about the project have not yet been shared. However, we know that it will be live-action, with plans to begin production next year.
Toho will handle distribution of Detective Pikachu in Japan. Meanwhile, Universal Pictures will be in charge for the overseas release.
Media Create sales (7/11/16 – 7/17/16) – Yo-kai Watch 3 sells 630,000 copies
Posted on 8 years ago by Brian(@NE_Brian) in 3DS, News, Wii U | 7 Comments
The latest Japanese hardware sales from Media Create are as follows:
New 3DS LL – 23,382
PS4 – 20,395
Vita – 10,991
Wii U – 7,601
New 3DS – 3,665
PS3 – 1,045
3DS – 653
3DS LL – 106
Xbox One – 63
For comparison’s sake, here are the hardware numbers from last week:
PS4 – 22,717
New 3DS LL – 16,505
Wii U – 15,470
Vita – 11,042
New 3DS – 3,284
PS3 – 1,126
3DS – 670
3DS LL – 87
Xbox One – 72
And here are the software charts:
1. [3DS] Yo-kai Watch 3 – 632,135 / NEW
2. [PSV] The Legend of Heroes: Trails in the Sky the 3rd Evolution – 10,485 / NEW
3. [3DS] Story of Seasons: Trio of Towns – 9,806 / 156,484
4. [WIU] Splatoon – 8,241 / 1,423,257
5. [WIU] Minecraft: Wii U Edition – 8,127 / 50,957
6. [WIU] Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games – 7,611 / 45,896
7. [PSV] Uppers – 6,931 / NEW
8. [3DS] Culdcept Revolt – 6,519 / 35,839
9. [PSV] Minecraft: PlayStation Vita Edition – 6,121 / 824,235
10. [3DS] Kirby: Planet Robobot – 5,484 / 350,387
11. [PSV] Refrain no Chika Meikyuu to Majo no Ryodan – 5,214 / 39,786
12. [PS4] Overwatch – 4,798 / 120,522
13. [PS4] Super Robot Wars OG: The Moon Dwellers – 4,561 / 84,032
14. [3DS] Mario & Sonic at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games – 4,187 / 191,526
15. [3DS] Pokemon Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire – 4,102 / 2,823,853
16. [3DS] Taiko no Tatsujin: Don Don! Mystery Adventure – 3,971 / 61,181
17. [PS3] Super Robot Wars OG: The Moon Dwellers – 3,451 / 48,769
18. [PSV] Dragon Quest Heroes II – 3,198 / 215,631
19. [PS4] Grand Theft Auto V (4,990 Yen Edition) – 3,188 / 133,568
20. [PSV] Jikkyou Powerful Pro Baseball 2016 – 2,887 / 156,427